Photo: Elemaki · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Uruguay: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Uruguay is placed 62nd of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 60.1 (2025); Labour Income Share 56.26 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
62nd
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Uruguay on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
60.1
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Uruguay: 60.1. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in South America
- 76.29 Bolivia
- Land neighbours
- Argentina 57.49 · Brazil 59.37
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
7.516
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Uruguay: 7.516. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in South America
- 2.967 Bolivia
- Land neighbours
- Argentina 7.145 · Brazil 5.97
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
24.37
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Uruguay: 24.37. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in South America
- 18.38 Suriname
- Land neighbours
- Argentina 22.27 · Brazil 26.08
02Over time
Which way Uruguay is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
UruguayWorld median
Uruguay rose from 52.57 in 2000 to 60.1 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Uruguay World median 2025 60.105 57.720 2024 59.681 57.694 2023 59.188 58.158 2022 58.204 57.688 2021 57.021 56.066 2020 54.741 55.691 2019 57.883 57.871 2018 58.371 56.911 2017 59.056 56.738 2016 59.546 56.845 2015 60.072 56.788 2014 61.561 56.774 2013 60.665 56.229 2012 61.015 56.289 2011 61.853 56.297 2010 59.683 56.212 2009 59.732 56.255 2008 58.869 57.308 2007 57.816 56.933 2006 55.260 56.685 2005 52.367 56.129 2004 51.763 55.465 2003 49.264 55.630 2002 49.987 55.843 2001 52.289 56.018 2000 52.567 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
UruguayWorld median
Uruguay rose from 46.01 in 2004 to 56.26 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Uruguay World median 2025 56.26 46.230 2024 56.08 46.060 2023 56.58 45.900 2022 55.13 45.615 2021 54.29 45.433 2020 57.63 47.267 2019 55.64 46.277 2018 56.59 46.187 2017 55.74 46.467 2016 55.02 46.798 2015 54.63 46.876 2014 53.23 47.281 2013 51.77 46.887 2012 51.24 46.231 2011 51.14 45.679 2010 50.31 46.024 2009 50.13 47.071 2008 47.73 45.312 2007 48.58 45.246 2006 46.74 45.670 2005 46.39 46.265 2004 46.01 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
UruguayWorld median
Uruguay fell from 12.63 in 2000 to 7.516 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Uruguay World median 2025 7.52 5.08 2024 8.21 5.15 2023 8.36 5.21 2022 7.88 5.34 2021 9.33 6.04 2020 10.41 6.38 2019 8.84 5.36 2018 8.34 5.35 2017 7.89 5.59 2016 7.84 5.90 2015 7.49 6.41 2014 6.55 6.58 2013 6.44 6.71 2012 6.45 6.79 2011 6.31 6.90 2010 7.16 7.04 2009 7.74 6.67 2008 8.03 5.79 2007 9.40 6.00 2006 10.84 6.50 2005 12.01 7.09 2004 12.98 6.80 2003 16.66 6.95 2002 16.65 6.91 2001 15.05 6.96 2000 12.63 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
UruguayWorld median
Uruguay rose from 23.06 in 2000 to 24.37 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Uruguay World median 2025 24.37 28.67 2024 24.50 29.04 2023 24.62 29.33 2022 24.73 29.67 2021 24.82 30.01 2020 24.91 30.54 2019 24.20 29.98 2018 24.23 30.15 2017 23.78 29.93 2016 23.52 29.91 2015 22.94 30.26 2014 22.16 30.47 2013 22.25 31.14 2012 22.20 31.00 2011 22.71 31.41 2010 23.46 32.37 2009 24.21 32.59 2008 24.41 31.76 2007 24.87 33.47 2006 24.84 34.27 2005 24.49 34.66 2004 25.76 35.51 2003 26.12 35.90 2002 25.98 35.96 2001 24.63 35.27 2000 23.06 35.67
03In context
Uruguay beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Uruguay and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Brazil | =56th | 59.37 | 59.5 | 5.97 | 26.08 |
| Uruguay | 62nd | 60.1 | 56.26 | 7.516 | 24.37 |
 Argentina | =92nd | 57.49 | 50.19 | 7.145 | 22.27 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across South America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Uruguay in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Uruguay is ahead of the world, and behind
32 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median15
Statistics on which Uruguay does better than the middle country measured.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.8850.14.885▼ Worsened since 2015
Uruguay: 0.1 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6830.116.68No earlier reading
Uruguay: 30.1 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 23rd of 139 · derived.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,74230,1486,742No real change since 2015
Uruguay: 30,148 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 28th of 151 · derived.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 031.40No earlier reading
Uruguay: 31.4 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3143▼ Worsened since 2015
Uruguay: 14 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,230119,02425,230No real change since 2010
Uruguay: 119,024 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 32nd of 151 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.163822.16No real change since 2015
Uruguay: 38 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 57th of 182 · derived.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6664.9961.66▲ Improved since 2015
Uruguay: 64.99 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 59th of 182 · derived.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,38466,34847,384No real change since 2015
Uruguay: 66,348 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 59th of 168 · derived.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3657.2653.36▼ Worsened since 2015
Uruguay: 57.26 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 64th of 182 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.966.845.9No earlier reading
Uruguay: 66.8 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Informal Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 36.7632.5136.76No earlier reading
Uruguay: 32.51 · world median 36.76 · Informal employment (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.857 to 94.44; lower is better.
Position 54th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.3114.0314.31▲ Improved since 2014
Uruguay: 14.03 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 52nd of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed PersonsILO · 2024 · world median 0.5750.630.575No earlier reading
Uruguay: 0.63 · world median 0.575 · Labour inspectors per 10,000 employed persons. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 3.89; higher is better.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.611.591.61▼ Worsened since 2015
Uruguay: 1.59 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Behind the world median6
Statistics on which Uruguay does worse than the middle country measured.
Female Share of Senior and Middle ManagementILO · 2024 · world median 35.8633.7635.86▼ Worsened since 2014
Uruguay: 33.76 · world median 35.86 · Women in senior and middle management (% of managers). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.226 to 56.69; higher is better.
Position 53rd of 86 · derived.
Low Pay RateILO · 2024 · world median 17.8921.7817.89▲ Improved since 2020
Uruguay: 21.78 · world median 17.89 · Employees paid less than two-thirds of the median hourly earnings (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.395 to 41.69; lower is better.
Position 25th of 71 · derived, 1st = worst.
Gini Index of Monthly EarningsILO · 2024 · world median 0.3370.3680.337▼ Worsened since 2014
Uruguay: 0.368 · world median 0.337 · Gini index of employees’ monthly earnings (0 = all paid the same, 1 = maximum inequality). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.182 to 0.643; lower is better.
Position 24th of 75 · derived, 1st = worst.
Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4)ILO · 2024 · world median 12.5618.8112.56▼ Worsened since 2014
Uruguay: 18.81 · world median 12.56 · Composite rate of labour underutilisation, LU4 (% of the extended labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.495 to 49.82; lower is better.
Position 17th of 76 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8161.941.81No earlier reading
Uruguay: 61.9 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 29th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.8325.1512.83▼ Worsened since 2015
Uruguay: 25.15 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 28th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Level with the median, or no median to compare4
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 989898▼ Worsened since 2015
Uruguay: 98 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Average Monthly Earnings of EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 1,6361,6361,636▲ Improved since 2014
Uruguay: 1,636 · world median 1,636 · Average monthly earnings of employees (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 193.28 to 9,307; higher is better.
Position 38th of 75 · derived.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0732.0732.07No earlier reading
Uruguay: 32.07 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1619.1619.16No earlier reading
Uruguay: 19.16 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 90th of 179 · derived.
No better end7
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5173.1559.51No real change since 2015
Uruguay: 73.15 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 44th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.0116.9915.01No earlier reading
Uruguay: 16.99 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 62nd of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8818.7818.88No real change since 2015
Uruguay: 18.78 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 95th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8427.9731.84Moved since 2015
Uruguay: 27.97 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 103rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.388.07114.38No real change since 2015
Uruguay: 8.071 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 115th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Share of Temporary EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 13.459.53213.45Moved since 2022
Uruguay: 9.532 · world median 13.45 · Employees on temporary contracts (% of employees). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.337 to 72.78.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8933.6838.89Moved since 2015
Uruguay: 33.68 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 147th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Uruguay
Fatal Occupational Injuries (last 2018) and Statutory Minimum Wage (last 2023). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among Uruguay’s 16 topics
Work & Labour is Uruguay’s 13th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Energy10th of 1653/3 keys
- Peace & Security14th of 1774/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties23rd of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions31st of 1944/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade37th of 1773/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability40th of 1863/4 keys
- Digital & Technology43rd of 1984/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital45th of 1963/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeing54th of 2004/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge55th of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation51st of 1764/4 keys
- Gender & Equality59th of 1834/4 keys
- Work & Labour62nd of 1824/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience81st of 1934/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality78th of 1593/3 keys
- Food & Agriculture105th of 1844/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Uruguay can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Americas
United States14th4/4 keysHighest in South America
Bolivia=29th4/4 keysThis page
Uruguay62nd4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Uruguay and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Uruguay on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Uruguay rank on work & labour?
Uruguay is placed 62nd of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Uruguay?
60.1 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Uruguay?
56.26 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Uruguay compare with Brazil on work & labour?
Brazil is placed joint 56th of 182, and Uruguay 62nd. Employment-to-Population Ratio: Brazil 59.37, Uruguay 60.1; Labour Income Share: Brazil 59.5, Uruguay 56.26; Unemployment Rate: Brazil 5.97, Uruguay 7.516; Vulnerable Employment: Brazil 26.08, Uruguay 24.37.
How have Uruguay’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio rose from 52.57 in 2000 to 60.1 in 2025; Labour Income Share rose from 46.01 in 2004 to 56.26 in 2025; Unemployment Rate fell from 12.63 in 2000 to 7.516 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment rose from 23.06 in 2000 to 24.37 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Uruguay?
No current reading is published for Uruguay on Fatal Occupational Injuries and Statutory Minimum Wage. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 32 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Uruguay’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Uruguay (banner) — Elemaki, CC BY 3.0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Uruguay: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/uruguay/work